BETHANY, W.Va. – Long-time Bethany College friend William “Bill” Kiefer passed away on the night of Dec. 15. Kiefer was one of the most impactful community members to bless Bethany College through his countless years of dedication.
Kiefer graduated from Bethany College in 1971 and has been a key member of the College ever since. Bill went on to serve on Bethany’s Alumni Council and Board of Trustees before becoming CFO and General Counsel Emeritus for Bethany College.
Kiefer was one of three recipients of the Robert A. Sandercox Award for outstanding service and dedication to Bethany College. As the ‘go-to’ man for just about everything College related, Kiefer continuously guided students, staff, alumni, and friends with his wisdom.
As a brother of Alpha Sigma Phi, Kiefer led generations of brothers, showing them courage and support throughout the years. For his sustained alumni service to the fraternity, he was honored by receiving the Delta Beta Xi Award.
Kiefer was a man of love and service. He was true to his beliefs and fought to do right by everyone and everything. In addition to his love for the College, Bill was a great father and husband to his family.
“On behalf of our entire Bethany College Community, I want to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our colleague Bill Kiefer. Bill’s life and his legacy serve as a testament to what it means to be a Bethanian,” says Bethany President Dr. Jamie Caridi. “He was a man of extraordinary wisdom and character who for over half a century selflessly offered his steadfast support to the College. Bill was a friend and counselor to countless board members, past presidents, and so many members of the faculty and staff, myself included. We will honor his legacy by striving each day to serve as he did – with charity, love, and passion.”
“Bill was my counselor and friend. He loved Bethany College. Every comment, thought, and action he offered had Bethany’s best interest first. He was what all Bethanians aspire to be. I will miss him,” remarks Ken Bado, chairman of the Board of Trustees.
“For most of us, we have never known a Bethany College in which Bill Kiefer was not involved in one capacity or another. He arrived in 1967 and never really went too far away. He’s been a constant in Bethany’s ever-changing landscape,” recalled Marc Chernenko ‘78 at Kiefer’s retirement celebration this past September. “He has been one of the great ambassadors for Bethany College and occupies a singularly important place in its history. He epitomizes Mr. Campbell’s premise that Bethany prepares its students for their first job and their last job—lawyer, civic leader, volunteer, historian, and columnist—our very own Jon Meacham.”
There will be a viewing of William Ray Kiefer at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, W.Va., on Monday, Dec. 19, from 1 – 7 p.m.
A second viewing will take place prior to the funeral service on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Bethany Memorial Church from 10 – 11 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. The Rev. Thaddaeus B. Allen, regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in W.Va., Pa., and Northeast Regions, will preside.
May Bill’s memory live on in the chiming of the Old Main bell, the pouring in of sun through the windows of Commencement Hall, and love for the Bethany community. May Bill’s family feel the love our community has for him, and may he rest in eternal peace.
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